tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28796750120630587402018-03-08T06:49:01.658-08:00The Small Book BlogAnnie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-64944873637077115412018-01-05T12:30:00.000-08:002018-01-05T12:30:42.620-08:00Happy 2018 & Happy Reading! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7f9BB_mnGs/Wk_S9g2NIxI/AAAAAAAABnU/w_W9CXXFj1My6Kqzb_py9ZDRHKgeesT9ACLcBGAs/s1600/new-years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="359" height="193" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7f9BB_mnGs/Wk_S9g2NIxI/AAAAAAAABnU/w_W9CXXFj1My6Kqzb_py9ZDRHKgeesT9ACLcBGAs/s320/new-years.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope you fall in love with at least one book this new year! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Happy New Year My Dear Readers!&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />With the new year comes organizing, cleaning, detoxing, resolutions and positivity… or sometimes sarcastic humor about all of the aforementioned. I saw a quote and loved how fitting it is: “New Year’s Resolutions: 1) Read? 2) Read. 3)Read!” That’s how I feel about most of my resolutions and goals. It’s the thought process behind getting off the couch to work out or getting snuggled into the couch to read and tell myself to <i>not</i>look around at the chores I could be doing. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Goodreads has an awesome Reading Challenge feature you can set up for your reading goals! Every year, since 2011, I have set a goal for how many books I plan to read for the year. Some years have been amazingly successful and others… not so much. At least I was being optimistic. LOL! This year I decided to keep the bar a little on the lower side- 25 books in the next year. I know with my two little ones it is hard to get my dedicated 10-15 minutes every day of reading in but we will see what the year brings! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What are some of your reading goals? Trying new authors or genres? Picking up a series or outlandishly large tome of a novel you know you might love but haven’t tried reading yet because how daunting it is? For me that series is Game of Thrones. I wonder if I will try it this year or put it off some more? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Happy 2018 and I wish you an adventurous year in reading and hope you fall in love with at least one amazing book!&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-36472988769348960922017-10-11T14:05:00.000-07:002017-10-11T14:05:03.277-07:00Hello & Happy Fall! <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p><img alt="Related image" height="128" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/images/cropped/fall-books-1475159624.jpg" width="200" /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Hello Dear Readers! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It has been a very long time since I posted but I have an excellent excuse- we had our 2<sup>nd</sup> child in April and, for those of you familiar with babies know, he just doesn’t feel sorry for me so I can get reading time included in our schedule! HAHA! I am slowly getting some reading time in though and hope to start posting reviews and recommendations soon.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, my husband has decided that my beloved collection of books (and yes it is prolific) needs to be moved out of the baby’s room. On one hand, I wonder how empty the room will look (guess I’ll have to start a new collection of books for the kids from baby board books to Classics to Young Adult novels) since they are nestled snuggly in built in shelves. On the other hand, my new job is to imagine and design the bookshelves for my books! I’m in love with some of the ideas percolating in my mind and waiting to see what can actually be created in real life. I am enthusiastically hopping onto Pinterest and IKEA for ideas. Morphing those into something that will work with our Master bedroom space as well as other areas of the house for the inevitable books that just won’t quite fit on the shelves. Heaven knows I couldn’t possibly get rid of them! I might want to re-read a particular one or loan one to a friend. Luckily I have been blessed with a handy and creative husband who, so far, is intrigued by my ideas. Let’s cross our fingers! IKEA is a LONG drive from where I live. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Prior to April I was loving the J.R. Ward Bourbon Kings series. It’s a dynasty story that doesn’t focus on one set of characters for each book, but the author continues the story along as a mini series of sorts and you are brought into the folds of this old family and the saga drama of their lives. While I wait for book three to be released I am trying out Maya Banks’ A KGI Novel: <i>Whispers in the Dark. <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">I wish everyone happy reading, hoping you get more time to unwind with a book than I do, and enjoy this beautiful fall season.</div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-30205122248826262822017-01-25T16:31:00.003-08:002017-01-25T16:31:59.623-08:00Weis & Astor's Blackwell <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j4mf4Ibh7OI/WIlDTRi7W0I/AAAAAAAABjA/2vQGmoXNf58GnxFPla7gL63w4hsQAaXUwCLcB/s1600/32312194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j4mf4Ibh7OI/WIlDTRi7W0I/AAAAAAAABjA/2vQGmoXNf58GnxFPla7gL63w4hsQAaXUwCLcB/s320/32312194.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32312194-blackwell" target="_blank">Blackwell</a></span></i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 12pt;">is a gothic horror novel that lovers of Oscar Wilde’s <i>The Picture of Dorian Gray</i>, Stephen King, and gothic literature will enjoy. The novel is written by two authors, Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor, but you never get a split feel throughout the novel (much like Christina Lauren has been able to achieve). The writing is well done, the language fitting the time period the authors locates us in, and author ploys are placed successfully without dragging the reader down and inundating them with too much side information. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The novel follows the intertwining lives of O’Connor &amp; Blackwell from the day they meet at Harvard on. Blackwell comes from a privileged and aristocratic upbringing. He is morally flawed individual but an intriguing character that the reader wants to follow. Is he going to lead a life with love in it or follow a darker path? The writer seems to really want to show the readers that you can question the soul and try to create “workarounds” to stay pure or virginal as well as how we handle life experiences. There is power in love and ultimately the choices you make will lead you on the path of love and its magic of healing or if you let too much darkness seep into your life down the path of damnation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is a large focus on the religion of Voodoo. I really enjoyed these segments of the novel because Voodoo is not often used in literature. It especially helped create a spiritual and karmically bound story line for the second half of the novel. The book cover fits the novel brilliantly and I loved it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Blackwell</span></i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 12pt;">is a dark novel that will give some readers satisfaction and leave some saying, “Well written, but the story was horrifying and depressing.” &nbsp;&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EZaGFXg0Y4/Vd82XPfOrhI/AAAAAAAABN8/ux6cngh0UEsCgZmYBpxHbpf1tyc86sovQCPcB/s1600/3-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EZaGFXg0Y4/Vd82XPfOrhI/AAAAAAAABN8/ux6cngh0UEsCgZmYBpxHbpf1tyc86sovQCPcB/s320/3-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-32366163591656114772016-12-28T12:00:00.000-08:002016-12-28T12:00:09.936-08:00Christine Brae's In This Life <div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVgTQM569oY/WGQHPqRdD9I/AAAAAAAABiU/K-28IhQ014s5EjsI60mKiFJoMZMfvt6kACLcB/s1600/23121753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVgTQM569oY/WGQHPqRdD9I/AAAAAAAABiU/K-28IhQ014s5EjsI60mKiFJoMZMfvt6kACLcB/s200/23121753.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23121753-in-this-life" target="_blank">In this Life by Christine Brae</a> is a bittersweet romance about listening to your heart and accepting where life leads you. This novel follows a woman who finds herself in love with two different men who are immensely important in her life. As Anna struggles to figure out what to do in her life and which man is her fate and destiny, the reader is drawn in to the joy, questions of one’s faith and struggles life hands the characters and what “we” do to survive and embrace them. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The author has a clear voice and has a talent for building the chemistry between the three main characters. While the story line is somewhat predictable in that you can guess where the author is leading you, it is worth the journey of getting there and not knowing exactly how you will be taken there. I found myself tearing up a few times during various scenes with the characters. The author does a good job with the emotion and imagery so you are there with the characters as they struggle with being honest with themselves and questioning if there is something greater out there for them or is this what God’s plan is… <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I would recommend this novel to lovers of Nicholas Sparks, anyone wanting a more realistic romantic story to immerse them in, or Christian fiction readers who also like a little spice in their life.&nbsp;<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: dark2;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EZaGFXg0Y4/Vd82XPfOrhI/AAAAAAAABN8/ux6cngh0UEsCgZmYBpxHbpf1tyc86sovQCPcB/s1600/3-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EZaGFXg0Y4/Vd82XPfOrhI/AAAAAAAABN8/ux6cngh0UEsCgZmYBpxHbpf1tyc86sovQCPcB/s320/3-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: dark2;"><br /></span></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-67864375335860297372016-11-08T12:00:00.000-08:002016-11-08T12:00:20.158-08:00Paula Hawkins' The Girl On the Train<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Girl on the Train" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1469460259l/22557272.jpg" width="135" /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Most suspense thrillers have the reader following the P.O.V. of the killer or victim or investigators of the crime (disappearance, murder, attacks, etc.). This novel is unique in that the story is told by a barely functioning alcoholic girl who is trying to figure out what to do with her life, if she should even try to dry out, but who happens to see something that only in her every day commute and imaginings on a train is out of the ordinary. Consequently, it is this couple of minutes that puts her in the side lines of a criminal mystery and by her own sheer will she weaves in and out of the mystery of what happened to the girl she had been watching from the train. The reader gets to try to figure out what happened based on the little access that's available to this character through her insertion into the investigation (and you kinda want to smack her half the time for running headlong into it), watching the media, and her drunken memories and imaginings.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The thing I appreciated about this novel is it toggles between three women telling you bits of the story- always their morning and their evenings of various days. All three women are very different and at different places in life but are all connected by one street of houses near the train tracks. The author has a great talent for her characters and I think the breaks between them, for me at least, was brilliant because if the story was solely told by one I would have issues wanting to finish the story.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I started the novel with the general assumption that the focus and end goal is more of the “whodunit” and unraveling the mystery with “the girl on the train” and her half hazard investigation into what happened to Megan. However, having finished reading this novel I feel like the main goal is not even the story of what happened to Megan but how to redeem the main story teller- the girl on the train- Rachel. If I were to reread this novel a second time knowing this, I think I would read the book completely different and potentially try to enjoy or connect with the characters more. As it was, it was difficult for me to do that due to personality flaws that are turnoffs to me on a personal level, especially the uber narcissistic personalities. With that in mind, the author did a great job with her novel and creating a uniquely plotted out story with characters you have an emotional response to while getting into the action of the story. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As an avid reader who likes to think who she might recommend books to, I would definitely recommend this book (as so many others already do) to friends who enjoyed Gillian Flynn’s <i>Gone Girl</i> (as well as her other novels) and/or Jojo Moyes’ <i>Me Before You.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EZaGFXg0Y4/Vd82XPfOrhI/AAAAAAAABN8/ux6cngh0UEsCgZmYBpxHbpf1tyc86sovQCPcB/s1600/3-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EZaGFXg0Y4/Vd82XPfOrhI/AAAAAAAABN8/ux6cngh0UEsCgZmYBpxHbpf1tyc86sovQCPcB/s320/3-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-52683516287502204062016-10-28T14:25:00.000-07:002016-10-28T14:25:17.711-07:00Becky Banks Newest Novel Available November 11, 2016! Wahoo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for halloween books" height="128" src="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/barnesy/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/halloweenbook.jpg" width="200" /></div><br /><br />Happy Halloween and All Hallows Eve weekend my dear readers! I hope you all have a safe holiday as well as some spooky reading if it calls to you. Currently I am reading <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22557272-the-girl-on-the-train" target="_blank"><i>The Girl on the Train </i>by Paula Hawkins </a>for my Halloween treat.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhhaLGwvTdE/V-hyFalV-UI/AAAAAAAAj4c/eVThEWaJOYUq7FyUhHSKOeC61bUtzGBNgCLcB/s1600/Cover-Sneak-peek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhhaLGwvTdE/V-hyFalV-UI/AAAAAAAAj4c/eVThEWaJOYUq7FyUhHSKOeC61bUtzGBNgCLcB/s200/Cover-Sneak-peek.jpg" width="164" /></a><br />I also wanted to let readers know our beloved author Becky Banks just completed her newest novel and it is now available for pre-order! The novel is called <i><a href="http://www.beckybanksonline.com/p/serendipity-of-fate.html" target="_blank">Serendipity of Fate</a></i>&nbsp;and officially launches on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2016. Wahoo! I can't wait! Hop over to <a href="http://www.beckybanksonline.com/" target="_blank">Banks' official website</a> for the synopsis and a sneak peek at the first three chapters to wet your appetites while you wait.<br /><br />Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-60927941614794643652016-06-11T09:57:00.000-07:002016-06-11T09:58:08.495-07:00Cupcakes & Book Scavenger Hunt! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gnv4eEV78cQ/V1xBmeSat7I/AAAAAAAABdI/aKe-5mBIpys4yRfn0eEHw4wXgb5MQItLgCLcB/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-06-11%2Bat%2B9.50.41%2BAM.png" width="216" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Blog/Articles/Cupcakes-Books-2016" target="_blank">Cupcakes &amp; Books Scavenger Hunt</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot; helvetica&quot; , &quot; sans-serif&quot;;">Hello Dear Readers,</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot; helvetica&quot; , &quot; sans-serif&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot; helvetica&quot; , &quot; sans-serif&quot;;">Ready to find new authors and to win prizes? I'm one of the sponsors of the Night Owl Reviews Cupcakes &amp; Books&nbsp;Scavenger Hunt. (<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1768387358" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 16 - July 7</span></span>)</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot; helvetica&quot; , &quot; sans-serif&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot; helvetica&quot; , &quot; sans-serif&quot;;">During this event I'm going to help you find some great new books and authors to read. Make sure to check my featured title out along the way.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot; helvetica&quot; , &quot; sans-serif&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The grand prize is a $100 Amazon Gift Card.</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot; helvetica&quot; , &quot; sans-serif&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot; helvetica&quot; , &quot; sans-serif&quot;;">Enter Now at:&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Blog/Articles/Cupcakes-Books-2016&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1465750027949000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEdGlbOKO_KB88sWCD7u51YrJ4hKA" href="https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Blog/Articles/Cupcakes-Books-2016" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>nightowlreviews.com/V5/Blog/<wbr></wbr>Articles/Cupcakes-Books-2016</a></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvaoZ3DmlAM/V1xCmCy3cyI/AAAAAAAABdU/IKrNCTTc-n8iFlTUFR_B1Nm-A4XgFTuBgCLcB/s1600/Cupcakesandbooks2016BigSplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvaoZ3DmlAM/V1xCmCy3cyI/AAAAAAAABdU/IKrNCTTc-n8iFlTUFR_B1Nm-A4XgFTuBgCLcB/s400/Cupcakesandbooks2016BigSplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-3937449539006094032016-05-19T12:00:00.000-07:002016-05-19T12:00:06.132-07:00Jennifer Weiner's Little Earthquakes <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rmxwkHx4JSw/Vz4Fk-IPRqI/AAAAAAAABb4/WeX4cO8_ZYUaVZ7yoxxNQ34-7fLGb8cvwCLcB/s1600/80536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rmxwkHx4JSw/Vz4Fk-IPRqI/AAAAAAAABb4/WeX4cO8_ZYUaVZ7yoxxNQ34-7fLGb8cvwCLcB/s320/80536.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><br /><br />I found <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/80536.Little_Earthquakes?ac=1&amp;from_search=true">Little Earthquakes </a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/80536.Little_Earthquakes?ac=1&amp;from_search=true">by Jennifer Weiner</a> sitting on my To Read bookshelf. Judging by the dust on it, it had been there for years. I received it as a gift before my little dragon was born and really had no interest in ever reading it. When I came across it this last month I decided to give it a try. <br /><br />This novel follows 4 new moms around during the new journey of motherhood- from late in their pregnancies (when their paths all cross) into the first year of motherhood. This was a book that could have been just depressing but the author did a really good job trying to keep the story, the relationships and the characters hopeful and positive. If I didn't have a child (or some other close link to kids) I wouldn't have enjoyed it much at all. It would have been whiney and frustrating. Only new parents can really appreciate the trials of early parenthood and the stress and total life changing things that can happen during this time of their lives. <br /><br />I would also throw out there that if you are a young mother wanting to read this- do so while pregnant or after your baby’s first year. One of the characters stories, if you were a new parent, is every parent’s nightmare so why add the stress to your life. <br /> <br /> I love that the author showed us how it really does take a circle of other moms and family (regardless if they are blood or chosen) to raise your child and keep us mama's sane, safe, healthy and happy. The little earthquakes that erupt into our lives are life changers, totally worth it, but not easy at all. LOL!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdJWCrbzz2g/Vz4Fszb8WPI/AAAAAAAABb8/I0G3ra2fbfwJ5vA1kzTyqYix9otEaYixwCLcB/s1600/3-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdJWCrbzz2g/Vz4Fszb8WPI/AAAAAAAABb8/I0G3ra2fbfwJ5vA1kzTyqYix9otEaYixwCLcB/s320/3-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-68342032699309450342016-03-24T09:22:00.002-07:002016-03-24T09:22:32.408-07:00Happy Easter Book... oops Egg Hunt! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="200" src="http://media2.popsugar-assets.com/files/2014/04/15/055/n/3019466/6c39f0ffbd0c27d2_i_m-not-addicted-to-reading.xxxlarge/i/Youve-been-late-work-finish-book.jpg" width="200" /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It’s almost the weekend! Wahoo! I love the weekends because there are usually brief moments of time I can squeeze in some extra reading and look at my “to-read” shelf to decide what my mood is and what to read next. Lately, I have been voraciously reading Patricia Brigg’s Mercy Thompson series and loving it. I am on book 6. The sad thing is I only have a few books to go before I am caught up with the author and will have to “hurry up and wait”. I would like to say that slows down my reading pace so I can savor what is available but it doesn’t usually change a thing. I reviewed book one of this series previously and am more in love with this series and characters 6 books in so it is a definite recommend for people wanting some kick-ass adventure with paranormal characters (Werewolves, Fae, Walkers, Vampires) and sexy PG-13-ish romance.</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a Happy Easter weekend and may your book and egg hunts be successful!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-grnjyouQZcQ/VvQTEVQkDwI/AAAAAAAABZk/6G0iquvWFAEW4MeORM_XAIfNdvQYJFr3w/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-grnjyouQZcQ/VvQTEVQkDwI/AAAAAAAABZk/6G0iquvWFAEW4MeORM_XAIfNdvQYJFr3w/s1600/Capture.JPG" /></a></div><o:p></o:p><br />Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-15144901919732846842016-03-10T08:13:00.001-08:002016-03-10T08:13:33.242-08:00I LOVE Finding New Book Stores! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MOo1DemEN4/VuGcyexGmsI/AAAAAAAABY4/n2FPgFf_9_c/s1600/tf7aosm53f09fo6ngb6s.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MOo1DemEN4/VuGcyexGmsI/AAAAAAAABY4/n2FPgFf_9_c/s200/tf7aosm53f09fo6ngb6s.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Usborne Books &amp; More, or UBAM, is a new (to me) online book vendor/store that I was recently introduced to.&nbsp; It is set up similar to Mary Kay, doTERRA, Tupperware, in that you will have the most fun and success finding a UBAM consultant who can set up an online or in-person book party.&nbsp; However, you can also go to their website, sign in and order books that way. UBAM has a huge selection of fictional, non-fictional, and interactive (in SO many fun and creative ways) books from age zero to teenagers in more categories than I care to list here but LOVE. You will have to check it out. My little dragon is 2 ½ and I was very excited to see how well organized UBAM is with reading and age levels of books set out for kids and parents to understand. I have found a few unique books I cannot wait to have my little dragon interact with or read. I also have a wish list that continues to grow… <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Shine a Light book is the first unique book I have purchased and as you are reading the book, you use a flashlight behind the page you are reading to make hidden pictures appear. So FUN! I also love the Muddle &amp; Match books. It is as if someone took a pile of story boards, created the main character, chopped it into thirds and bound it as a book. There are endless possibilities in the character your child creates and stories that correspond to the new character page/story you have muddled together.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">My dear friend Megan, who is the instigator getting this bibliophile into all kinds of trouble (at least it is good trouble, LOL!), introduced me to UBAM. She is available and wants to share her love and knowledge of books with you. <a href="http://c5039.myubam.com/" target="_blank">Visit her website</a>, set up an <a href="http://c5039.myubam.com/" target="_blank">online party or have an in-person party</a>so you can delight in seeing and touching the books on your ever growing wish list. Travel will be limited to areas of Oregon so please contact Megan directly to discuss your party.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-84655509631491252422016-03-03T14:29:00.001-08:002016-03-03T14:29:17.030-08:00Exciting News from Our Author Becky Banks! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jy-DYfXN_pE/Vti6Qx-3hrI/AAAAAAAABYE/3ZmKyTij0fE/s1600/SerendipityofFate-3D-Book_w-UPDATE-text.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jy-DYfXN_pE/Vti6Qx-3hrI/AAAAAAAABYE/3ZmKyTij0fE/s320/SerendipityofFate-3D-Book_w-UPDATE-text.png" width="247" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Exciting news update: Author Becky Banks is hard at work editing her 3rd book: <a href="http://www.beckybanksonline.com/2016/03/update-on-serendipity-of-fate.html">Serendipity of Fate</a>! Banks is hoping to roll out November 11, 2016, with fun ARC’s and prizes before that! Serendipity of Fate is a standalone novel that is sexy, hot, a kindling of a low burning ember that ignites into romance, love, friendship...I was privileged enough to just finish reading the current edition (before round 2 of the editing process) of this novel and love it! Can’t wait to read the published edition of Serendipity of Fate and see if Banks will add us to her book tour. Stay tuned for more updates! <br /><br />Visit <a href="http://www.beckybanksonline.com/">Becky Banks website</a> for updates, tours, and all fabulous news regarding her novels. Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-29159199321929173762016-02-16T16:33:00.000-08:002016-02-16T16:33:22.081-08:00Lauren Blakely's Big Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9FM5kOwJnQ/VsO_EGqkuDI/AAAAAAAABWk/DA_VSMQSbY8/s1600/26252659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9FM5kOwJnQ/VsO_EGqkuDI/AAAAAAAABWk/DA_VSMQSbY8/s320/26252659.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br />First- you have to know what <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26252659-big-rock">Big Rock</a> is about: <br /><i><br />It's not just the motion of the ocean, ladies. It's definitely the SIZE of the boat too. <br /> <br /> And I've got both firing on all cylinders. In fact, I have ALL the right assets. Looks, brains, my own money, and a big c*&amp;k.<br /> <br /> You might think I'm an a*&amp;hole. I sound like one, don’t I? I'm hot as sin, rich as heaven, smart as hell and hung like a horse.<br /> <br /> Guess what? You haven't heard my story before. Sure, I might be a playboy, like the NY gossip rags call me. But I’m the playboy who’s actually a great guy. Which makes me one of a kind. <br /> <br /> The only trouble is, my dad needs me to cool it for a bit. With conservative investors in town wanting to buy his flagship Fifth Avenue jewelry store, he needs me not only to zip it up, but to look the part of the committed guy. Fine. I can do this for Dad. After all, I’ve got him to thank for the family jewels. So I ask my best friend and business partner to be my fiancée for the next week. Charlotte’s up for it. She has her own reasons for saying yes to wearing this big rock.<br /> <br /> And pretty soon all this playing pretend in public leads to no pretending whatsoever in the bedroom, because she just can’t fake the kind of toe-curling, window-shattering orgasmic cries she makes as I take her to new heights between the sheets.<br /> <br /> But I can’t seem to fake that I might be feeling something real for her.<br /> <br /> What the fuck have I gotten myself into with this…big rock?</i><div><i><br /></i><br />Okay, doesn’t sound like something you want to run out and read unless you are curious about what else the big rock might be (which is actually really great by the way…both of them)? Reading the synopsis for this novel, seeing the amazing cover art, you would think, meah…funny cover, hot guy, total smut. I’ll try it but I have low expectations. Don’t! Read it! This is a great novel!!! It’s a romantic comedy and I want more of it. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6860216.Lauren_Blakely">Lauren Blakely</a> is a wordsmith who can paint her story in your head like you are watching it on the big screen. I wished I could project the story from my head to the wall while I was reading to see the characters living their life in NYC. <br /><br /><br />The characters are sweet, funny (I was laughing out loud throughout the entire book); true to themselves and the best bad liars you could hope for in this rom-com. Blakely gives the reader excellent sexual chemistry, hot foreplay and the sex- off the charts. Blakely gives the reader quality time “in the bedroom” and not just quick, “and then he stuck his p in her wet v and they climaxed together and fell asleep until round two.” I also really appreciated Blakeley took the chance to write this from the man’s, Spencer’s, point of view and it is creates the perfect tone to tell this love story. I don’t think I would have enjoyed the book as much if it was told from the POV of the female. <br /><br /><br />Big Rock is the perfect combo of romance, erotica, love story of best friends realizing the depth of their true feelings for each other and humor.<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6EA8rdVkFM/VsO_QCQKoeI/AAAAAAAABWo/CyVFlYaZi8w/s1600/5-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6EA8rdVkFM/VsO_QCQKoeI/AAAAAAAABWo/CyVFlYaZi8w/s320/5-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-5673841208288339122016-02-12T10:30:00.001-08:002016-02-12T10:30:32.658-08:00Emma Chase's Tangled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5i1ASbB6noA/Vr4kMQX6_tI/AAAAAAAABWE/LHs5e75sASs/s1600/tangled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5i1ASbB6noA/Vr4kMQX6_tI/AAAAAAAABWE/LHs5e75sASs/s320/tangled.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18297707-tangled" target="_blank">Tangled</a> is a love story told from the man’s point of view. I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times from Drew’s insight into love, ladies, relationships, and Drew’s “helpful” tidbits he would let drop to the reader as he conversationally relates his own love story… or was it how he “got the flu?” LOL! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">While Drew is a total player and hardworking professional, he is also sweet, poignant, way too confident in bed, and an amazing uncle. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6551005.Emma_Chase" target="_blank">Emma Chase</a> does a great job taking on the challenge of writing a steamy romance from the point of view of the guy rather than the heroine in the tale. <i>Tangled</i> feels like you are sitting down with Drew as he relates his unbiased, heavily detailed (yes please!), “thought provoking” romance to you. I could totally picture, as he relates the events and points out parts to watch for down the road, myself riveted in his tale and how it would end.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The synopsis for the novel is:&nbsp;<o:p></o:p><i>Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?&nbsp;</i></div><span id="freeText16415720382131310924"><i><br />He’ll tell you he has the flu.<br /><br />But we all know that’s not really true.<br /><br />Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything - or anyone - derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating. <br /><br />Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?&nbsp;</i></span><div><span><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span>Read it! Love it! Laugh out loud at the&nbsp;outrageous&nbsp;mess Drew becomes! &nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebdDmAJmMLg/Vr4khXDctjI/AAAAAAAABWI/2D_QJaQBdvI/s1600/4-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebdDmAJmMLg/Vr4khXDctjI/AAAAAAAABWI/2D_QJaQBdvI/s320/4-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><i><br /></i></span></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-45254804864317836262016-02-01T15:15:00.000-08:002016-02-01T15:15:08.226-08:00Colleen Hoover's Ugly Love <div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5430144.Colleen_Hoover" target="_blank">Colleen Hoover</a> is a master at writing stories that give you hope. They are emotional, intoxicating, sexy, enriching, devastating, overflowing with love, and mysterious. Hoover creates a story that is a kind of riddle and mystery. You know there is a twist, a huge side story or past that you are just getting snippets of as you get to know the characters in today’s time. They are unique, written in a “fun” way and have a great flow as you read. As you are reading, Hoover’s characters are growing and evolving before your eyes, creating depth in their world and yours as you lose yourself in the story. I sit in angst as I’m reading the book though, knowing something is coming that will put the characters in turmoil and I don’t know for how long or the depth of it! So far I am able to handle it because, so far, Hoover’s novels all have “Jane Austen” endings and that helps me stay the path. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788401-ugly-love" target="_blank">Ugly Love </a>is a novel about: <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.1px;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Never ask about the past.</span></div><div style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t expect a future.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.1px;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Hearts get infiltrated.</span></div></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Promises get broken.</span></div></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Rules get shattered.</span></div></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Love gets ugly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div></span><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Love- Hoover does an amazing job showing us what unconditional love and love that lasts a lifetime looks like. It is the love and relationships in our life that create and mold us. &nbsp;It is all versions of love in our life that are the make and the break in our life and how we handle them (or don’t handle them). Will it make you a worst case outcome or best case outcome type of person? &nbsp;Can you move on with life and live again after the worst thing that could possibly happen to you happens? The good moments and the bad moments in our daily lives- would you take one to get rid of the other? Or get rid of one terrible moment knowing all the good previous to that would disappear also? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">I find myself getting emotionally attached to these novels- thinking about them during the times I’m reading them and after I’m done with the story. I’m already ready to re-read this one! I want my girlfriends to read these novels also so we can gush over the men and the romance, and commiserate over the heartbreak and tangles of the story.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHIlTUWsT0w/Vq_fU1NreLI/AAAAAAAABVk/8lkZQx0yhPs/s1600/5-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHIlTUWsT0w/Vq_fU1NreLI/AAAAAAAABVk/8lkZQx0yhPs/s320/5-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-66661550443752448882016-01-21T12:30:00.000-08:002016-01-21T12:30:00.208-08:00Colleen Hoover: New Author I love! <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IkUza2S1ChQ/VqEqTDqe3mI/AAAAAAAABU8/A4OgPFUv3rA/s1600/5-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IkUza2S1ChQ/VqEqTDqe3mI/AAAAAAAABU8/A4OgPFUv3rA/s320/5-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large; text-align: center;">New Author Shout Out!&nbsp;</span>I am absolutely thrilled to have found the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5430144.Colleen_Hoover?from_search=true&amp;search_version=service" target="_blank">author Colleen Hoover</a>! Her novels (and she has a good amount published so plenty of reading to keep you happy) are sad, surprising, uplifting, enchanting, give you tingling feelings down to your toes and just incredible. Her stories and characters suck you in to the very end. These are the types of books you love and secretly hate just a smidgen. You love them because you know you will get sucked into the incredible world Hoover creates for you but you hate that you just devour the words and suddenly you are at the end or you are sitting there thinking to yourself, “I don’t know if I should read any today because I don’t want to know what will happen next or when the twist will come, or or or…” I have read<i> Hopeless </i>and <i>Someday Maybe</i> by Colleen Hoover and loved them. Still think about them. I am about to read <i>Ugly Love</i> and can hardly wait to see what’s in store with a name like that. Let me know what you think if you have read her books or decide to try them.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rw1yNawEGME/VqErXZLDVEI/AAAAAAAABVI/3FmzDod3ygo/s1600/cropped-colleen2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rw1yNawEGME/VqErXZLDVEI/AAAAAAAABVI/3FmzDod3ygo/s400/cropped-colleen2.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-65910301569408092692015-12-13T00:00:00.000-08:002015-12-13T00:00:08.841-08:00Stephenie Meyer's Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMU9OdbfVKI/VmdshRbT1SI/AAAAAAAABTc/cVamDZUpTWY/s1600/26874617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMU9OdbfVKI/VmdshRbT1SI/AAAAAAAABTc/cVamDZUpTWY/s320/26874617.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>It happened. I couldn’t stop myself from buying the anniversary edition of Twilight with the new gender switch/flipped version of Twilight called<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26874617-life-and-death"> Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined</a>. The thing that really wrapped around my brain and made me buy it was the opening where Stephenie Meyer tells us what percentage of the various changes, updates, corrections, gender roles, etc. that she did to this reimagined novel. I was intrigued to see how she would have made Twilight better, cleaner, richer… It wasn’t the gender switching of the characters. <br /><br />I would recommend this book to twilight enthusiast... I would keep it in the back of my mind for newbies to twilight who I know have no interest in reading a series but want the feel for it. It's a single book which was nice. It was good to see the author polish things up although I didn't like her choice of characters names, that's just me though. It was a struggle getting into the book at first. You feel like, “Wait a minute, haven’t I read this?” But as you get used to the different/new characters, absorb the names and “who is who” you eventually (and it took me a lot of will power to stick with it) get sucked in to see how Meyer is going to wrap this up. You know deep down a girl vampire is VERY unlikely to get pregnant from a human boy. Anyways, my advice is to stick it out and read to the end. It’s interesting. <br /><br />The author definitely wouldn't have received her acclaim, fame or huge bank account with just this novel. I highly doubt Fifty Shades of Grey would have been born of it either. <br /><br />Great anniversary gift for twilight fans.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3O7uAsIyC0/Vmdsl7hOVHI/AAAAAAAABTk/vrov9dXozcQ/s1600/3-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3O7uAsIyC0/Vmdsl7hOVHI/AAAAAAAABTk/vrov9dXozcQ/s320/3-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-17399317529460662842015-12-09T00:00:00.000-08:002015-12-09T00:00:09.656-08:00Patricia Briggs' Moon Called <div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBjdqkba7aQ/VmcQWAiZXhI/AAAAAAAABS8/5lcJSkN2CeM/s1600/Moon%2BCalled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBjdqkba7aQ/VmcQWAiZXhI/AAAAAAAABS8/5lcJSkN2CeM/s320/Moon%2BCalled.jpg" width="198" /></a>This past fall I found myself visiting the Oregon coast. The thing I love about visiting the coastal towns is that there are always book stores. The city I was in had at least 5- I was in heaven. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/71811.Moon_Called?from_search=true&amp;search_version=service" target="_blank">Patricia Briggs novel Moon Called</a> is one of the treasures I found on my coastal adventure. I am very happy I bought this new to me author, especially since she has quite the backlist of books! <i>Moon Called</i> is the first book in the Mercy Thompson series. It was fantastic and I can’t wait to get more Patricia Briggs in my life! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Moon Called </i>introduces us to a fantastic set of supernatural and human characters. They are strong, believable, engaging and enticing. I love the world Briggs has created- with the supernatural living with and among us; some openly and some covertly. Briggs does a great job telling us about the various species of supernatural- werewolves, vampires, fae, and walkers. She gives you enough tidbits to keep the reader comfortable, engaged in the story and hooking you into an overall plot you know the author has in mind, but leaves a bit of mystery there, especially with shifters like Mercy, for the reader to want to know more and keep reading the series. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">That said, the novel’s synopsis is spot on. Mercy can’t help but get herself into trouble and spooky situations every chance that she either gets or when she thinks it’s her duty to help out. &nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; “<span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson is a talented Volkswagen mechanic living in the Tri-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cities area of Washington. She also happens to be a walker, a magical being with the power to &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; shift into a coyote at will. Mercy's next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a&nbsp;gremlin. And she's fixing a bus for a vampire. This is the world of Mercy Thompson, one that &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; looks a lot like ours but is populated by those things that go bump in the night. And Mercy's &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; connection to those things is about to get her into some serious hot water...</span>”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The romance is a slow simmer in this novel. The love triangle that’s not quite a love triangle yet was intoxicating in <i>Moon Called</i> between Mercy, Adam and Samuel. Briggs sets her characters up individually and then starts the slow entanglement that leaves the reader panting to know what will happen!!! Give me book 2 in this series already! (Good thing I am “late” finding this author and she has quite a few books in this series published already!) I also really appreciated that the author took the time to flesh out and introduce us to the more minor and support players in Mercy’s world. They helped create the mood, dynamics, and mysterious scraps of information needed for a series like this. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">I would absolutely recommend this author and this series to my dear readers. It has action, adventure, sexual tension, kick ass characters, violence and mystery.&nbsp;&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--L6ezJBfO_I/VmcQzXNmNwI/AAAAAAAABTE/D32WAEFfwMs/s1600/4-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--L6ezJBfO_I/VmcQzXNmNwI/AAAAAAAABTE/D32WAEFfwMs/s320/4-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-76317133863708234002015-10-23T14:54:00.000-07:002015-10-23T14:54:17.478-07:00Go To Author: Christina Lauren! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1NBGxmIjOM4/ViqsOZzKRcI/AAAAAAAABRw/kbFHaW5H3eA/s1600/CLbooks.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1NBGxmIjOM4/ViqsOZzKRcI/AAAAAAAABRw/kbFHaW5H3eA/s320/CLbooks.png" width="320" /></a></div>Everyone has go to authors- those authors that you impatiently wait to hear when a new book will be released then promptly add it to your wish list so you can remember when you need to dash to the bookstore on release day... You may or may not read reviews because you love the author’s voice and they could never possibly disappoint you or let you down... that’s what I think of when I say “go to author.”<br /><br />I wanted to share an author who has quickly climbed onto my “go to author” shelf: Christina Lauren. I love their books (I say “their” because it’s actually a coauthor duo of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings)! Each story the author creates makes the reader want to dive into the couples love story and adventures the friends are experiencing. As you read, the characters further pull you under and you can't put the book down until the end to see how everything will be wrapped up! The novels are witty, sassy, and full of sex- and not your typical vanilla sex scenes. The characters are full of heart and love to give and share.<br /><br />Christina Lauren has at least two different series (I devoured the series: Beautiful Bastard &amp; Wild Seasons). What I love about them is that while each book is focused on the two main characters relationship, the other characters you have met, or are soon to meet more in depth, are in and out of all the novels. It’s fun to watch the characters change, grow, and interact book to book weaving throughout each other's stories as they do in their book lives. <br /><br />Anyone else have this dynamic duo on their “go to author” shelf? Please share, I’d love to hear what others think. Here is a link to Christina Lauren's goodreads profile: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6556689.Christina_Lauren?from_search=true&amp;search_version=service">Christina Lauren on goodreads</a>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-34462622125756901622015-10-04T17:53:00.005-07:002015-10-04T17:57:21.273-07:00Pucked by Helena Hunting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxjvtv6D4Fw/VhHIdJCmjhI/AAAAAAAABQ8/J2T8uFUucDk/s1600/pucked%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxjvtv6D4Fw/VhHIdJCmjhI/AAAAAAAABQ8/J2T8uFUucDk/s320/pucked%2Bcover.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>I was talking to a friend about how I just finished reading a really good book but that it wasn't very sexy. She exclaimed, "That is a crime! Read Pucked! It will more than make up for lack of sex." Boy howdy was she correct. Pucked was excellent! I imagine the author had an amazing time creating the story, the characters, the scenes and crazy situations. (For the actual synopsis of the novel visit <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24504274-pucked" target="_blank">Pucked on Goodreads</a>.) <br /><br />I will put a clause in here for people whose sensibilities would be rubbed the wrong way by dirty or crass language. If you are one of those people don’t even read the rest of my book promotion. I would use movies as an example- you can crass it up and cuss till you are blue in the face but most of the time, it doesn't make the story any better or characters more appreciated. A line here and there may last the ages (think “Yippy Ka Yay MotherF@cker!”). The author of Pucked toed the line of language but even the characters don’t take themselves seriously so it works. It’s the exception to the rule. <br /><br />The author of Pucked is able to create a book that is a romance at its core. Sure it is colored with a foul mouthed leading lady, strong caring men, and overall is excellent girl porn, but the formula for romance that we all love to read is there and you can sink into it… and other things, *ahem*. There are scenes in the book that had me laughing at the absurdity of them or laughing because I can't imagine how the author came up with it but I was so thankful she didn't take the scenes out- how many authors would do the cape scene for one!? That’s right; you have to read the book to find out what the Super MC cape is but oh is it worth it. <br /><br />So, for your next date night in with yourself and a good book, read Pucked and have fun. Everyone deserves an erotic little treat here and there.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiRNJp5nR90/Vd82XLy9RjI/AAAAAAAABN8/dcsZxjTOzuc/s1600/4-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiRNJp5nR90/Vd82XLy9RjI/AAAAAAAABN8/dcsZxjTOzuc/s320/4-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-45511357153264099262015-09-22T12:00:00.000-07:002015-09-22T14:40:34.903-07:00Kristan Higgins' If She Only Knew <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xFqDCp_vmmM/VgGW1d6H3TI/AAAAAAAABPc/d213ys3U4bA/s1600/if%2Bshe%2Bonly%2Bknew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xFqDCp_vmmM/VgGW1d6H3TI/AAAAAAAABPc/d213ys3U4bA/s320/if%2Bshe%2Bonly%2Bknew.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br />I just finished reading Kristan Higgins new novel <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23280208-if-you-only-knew">If She OnlyKnew</a>. This book is lovely. It’s heart felt and open. It doesn't make the reader feel bad if they would have chosen, or think they would choose, a different path than the characters regarding how to have love and keep love in their lives. The novel delves into the lives of two sisters at a cross roads in their separate lives. Jenny, already choosing her path and building a new life after her husband abruptly divorces her (and soon after marries a new woman and has a baby with her even though he always told Jenny he had no interest in being a father). While Jenny deals with the fall out and rebuilding of her life and self, she moves to a little city outside New York to be closer to her sister and delightful triplet nieces. Jenny’s sister Rachel thinks she is exactly where she always wanted to be and life cannot get any better. Of course this is when God throws a curve ball to test Rachel. Both Jenny and Rachel, in their own way, takes what life deals them and try to find their place in the new circumstances they find themselves in. The novel is just realistic enough it tugs at your insides and emotions but fictional enough for the reader to escape- why else do we read?<br /><br />Kristan Higgins has created wonderful characters and has a talent with words which put you smack dab into the world she has created for the short period of time we get to spend there. You want to be friends with them, hug them, slug them, try out a delectable piano lesson and contemplate babysitting the chaotic triplets. Higgins does a great job about creating characters that are stronger than they think they are and are, after some pushing and shoving, daring to find what path in life that will make them happy, healthy and safe. The stumbles along the way are what make life so rich and unique. As I always remind myself- Visualize your best case scenario, your worst case scenario and then strive to create a way to achieve that goal. <br /> <br /> While I am not in the same positions as the readers- I loved the eternal and optimistic message because it can be transferred to so many subjects within relationships we have with loved ones on a daily basis. "There are only perfect, glowing moments, like this one, and then there are the everyday moments that weave them together into a shimmering path that can always be seen, even in the dark."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGJOmOEd8FA/VgGW6tsXNqI/AAAAAAAABPk/Hu9ob-DsL-8/s1600/4-Dragon-Rating.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGJOmOEd8FA/VgGW6tsXNqI/AAAAAAAABPk/Hu9ob-DsL-8/s320/4-Dragon-Rating.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: &quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-56400370619384731462015-08-27T00:30:00.000-07:002015-08-27T00:30:01.052-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjZy0yOYtTM/VcuPTAblL6I/AAAAAAAAfUA/8SofYzv4D2U/s1600/Legend-I-Giveaway-Kindle_Aug27-31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjZy0yOYtTM/VcuPTAblL6I/AAAAAAAAfUA/8SofYzv4D2U/s400/Legend-I-Giveaway-Kindle_Aug27-31.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />We're celebrating summer today through Monday the 31st with some cool Scottish love. Award-winning <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Lady-MacLaoch-ebook/dp/B0052FXQAE/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1306437993&amp;sr=1-2" target="_blank"><i>The Legend of Lady MacLaoch</i></a> is FREE on Amazon Kindle! Be sure to share the love and tell your friends! <br /><br />Escape to the Highlands and find yourself in love with a modern day fairy tale, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Lady-MacLaoch-ebook/dp/B0052FXQAE/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1306437993&amp;sr=1-2" target="_blank">click here to go to Amazon.</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uAHjE2yJbMg/VdzHaPkQWZI/AAAAAAAAfoI/sr9dgte4kMY/s1600/TheLegendofLadyMacLaoch-3D-Book_650px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uAHjE2yJbMg/VdzHaPkQWZI/AAAAAAAAfoI/sr9dgte4kMY/s320/TheLegendofLadyMacLaoch-3D-Book_650px.jpg" width="271" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>A legendary love, an unforgiving curse, and the discovery of a lifetime . . . </b><br /><br />Centuries ago a vengeful curse buried itself deep into the history of the MacLaoch clan and become a legendary tale told by all those not cursed by its words.<br /><br />In present-day Scotland, the laird and chief of the MacLaoch clan is an ex-Royal Air Force fighter pilot who has been past the gates of hell and returned a changed man. Rowan MacLaoch does battle with wartime memories and a family curse that threaten to consume him—unaware that his life and that of the history of the clan will be changed forever by the arrival of an American woman.<br /><br />Cole Baker, a feisty recent graduate of a master’s program, stumbles upon the ancient curse while researching her bloodlines. Moved by the history of the MacLaoch clan and the mystery of its chief, she digs into the legend that had been anything but quiet for centuries.<br /><br />On their quest for answers, Cole and Rowan travel to places they have never before been and become witnesses to things they have never before fathomed. The legend—one started with blood—will end with more shed as its creator finally exacts her justice.<br /><br />Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-63764798815949761752015-07-29T14:25:00.002-07:002015-07-29T14:36:50.226-07:00Me Before You by JoJo Moyes<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Opqj8iBmgP8/VblEoYpfjOI/AAAAAAAABLw/5cHx9oeYbj8/s1600/Me-Before-You-book-cover-Jan-12-p122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Opqj8iBmgP8/VblEoYpfjOI/AAAAAAAABLw/5cHx9oeYbj8/s320/Me-Before-You-book-cover-Jan-12-p122.jpg" width="211" /></a><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;;">Me Before You </span></i><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;;">by Jojo Moyes: I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. I will admit one thing and it’s a big thing for others out there who also have heard the rave reviews about this book so, like me, they go out and purchase the book and jump into the story. It is not a traditional love story and it covers deep subject matter. This is your warning. I forgot to warn a friend who I lent my copy to and I heard all about it. LOL! I, myself, was totally surprised when I realized the direction the novel was going but it was also very eye opening and a soft look into the world of quadriplegics. I appreciated the chance to imagine the world they are “trapped in” and the various obstacles they and their loved ones deal with on a daily basis. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;;">Me Before You </span></i><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;;">is about Lou, a girl who is lost in the world and trying to figure out her place in it. She has a vibrant personality and positive attitude about just about anything and everything. She is witty, funny and feels like a real person. She stumbles into a job (and whole new world) working as a type of caregiver for Will, to help heal his broken soul as he deals with his now broken body. Since his accident, Will has become a poor reflection of the daring, adventurous, handsome, successful man he was. His world has dramatically shrunk to his house and how his body is responding/behaving that day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;;">The author has an amazing voice as she introduces us to the characters, and to the relationship Will and Lou forge. I felt myself wanting to help and encourage them to grow individually and to grow together. The author has a knack for writing characters that feel like real people out there in the world. She entrenches you in their world- the feelings, smells, touch, sound, taste, joys and fears. Will and Lou weave an amazing six month journey of something that is just good.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;;">I would also like to add that I truly appreciated the title of the novel once I finished the reading journey. It’s very reflective of the story and characters. “While every human being has a capacity for love, its realization is one of the most difficult achievements.” –Erich Fromm<o:p></o:p></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDmTbirkPBk/T45AeZ5mbYI/AAAAAAAAAtU/hmZjcwWWbIs/s1600/4-Dragon-Rating.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDmTbirkPBk/T45AeZ5mbYI/AAAAAAAAAtU/hmZjcwWWbIs/s320/4-Dragon-Rating.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;;"><br /></span></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-52511684293024486682015-07-22T10:41:00.001-07:002015-07-22T10:41:43.156-07:00Poldark Series by Winston Graham <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;;">Do you ever watch a show, realize it’s a book, and get that panicked feeling of “Oh no! Should I read it first or watch it first?” I recently stumbled across Masterpiece’s new series <i>Poldark</i>. I fell in love with the story, the characters, and the landscape. I enjoyed the series so much I could not temper my patience waiting for Sunday to arrive and a new episode to play. I went online and ordered the DVD (sometimes it’s awesome when the shows air in Britain first). Of course, like all good series, season one ended with cliffhangers and our beloved characters are in all kinds of messes. With sadness in my heart and no idea of when season two would be available, I sadly turned off the tv and went to read my latest book before bed. Suddenly the thought hits me, “DUH!! <i>Poldark</i> was based on a book.” I raced to Goodreads online to investigate this happy thought and all while singing to myself, “It’s a book! Just go read it!” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;;">So begins my adventures in finding book one of Winston Grahams’ Poldark sagas (12 books in all!). The series looks like it was first published from 1945 forward. However, upon searching Amazon, Barnes and Noble and a local bookstore, I am not finding this book as available! It’s old! Where can it be? Apparently they have recently reprinted the first 2 books in the series, in June, and it’s already sold out! This is no surprise to me as the actor who portrayed Ross Poldark is on the cover of the reprinted editions. *quick pause to appreciate Adrian Turner…* Now I wait for the books to be available again at the end of this month. I just hope the books meet or exceed my expectations. When I looked on Goodreads it mentioned the series is more of a saga like <i>Gone with the Wind</i> and a “trashy” historical romance like <i>Jane Eyre</i> was considered. I’m very pleased with those as recommendations and comparisons! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_uT8xWdr8E/Va_VqLcuQkI/AAAAAAAABKk/XIY5ZzTuBSs/s1600/poldark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_uT8xWdr8E/Va_VqLcuQkI/AAAAAAAABKk/XIY5ZzTuBSs/s320/poldark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;;">I’ll let you know how the book/s turns out when I get my greedy hands on them and am able to relish in their world again. I can’t wait to see how close the television series is to the books, if the characters will be as endearing or irritating, if I fly through the chapters to find out what will happen next, if I forget to breathe while reading parts…&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-68150843022400359792015-07-21T21:39:00.001-07:002015-07-21T21:39:25.403-07:00Sharing Your Library With Friends <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">I thought of you today, my poor seemingly abandoned book blog. Since becoming a mother I have felt as though our Little Dragon entered the world and words and how to construct them swiftly vacated the premise of my mind. Slowly I am finding time and inspiration to create again, to read, to invent and design, to fall in love with old and new characters in books and on screen, and my favorite: to share favored authors and gossip over the books friends finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Segoe Print;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have a friend who reads one to three books throughout a normal week. We have started sharing books with each other (love the USPS book rate!). The other day she lets me know she is ready for her next installment of books. I’m giddy just thinking about sharing more novels with someone I know will love or hate them, so I go hunting through my libraries of books throughout my&nbsp; house, looking for romantic suspense genre authors with a&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">back-list</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">&nbsp;of books or series. Then, as&nbsp;I’m working my way through the stacks, I decided I would surprise my friend and introduce her to the world of the paranormal. Most of them are romantic suspense tales, just that the characters are Other Worldly. I finally take a break and look down at the books I have pulled… I’m at 32 books. YIKES! Frantically I text my friend to ask if she had a book limit. I have met it. I made a few notes of other books for the next time we rotate books and get this stack ready to travel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">All this said, I wanted to share the different authors with you, my dear readers!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">For romantic suspense I shared: Lisa Unger, Laura Griffin, Brenda Novak, Lora Leigh, Karen Rose, P.D. Martin and Allison Brennan.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Segoe Print&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">As an introduction to the paranormal books I went with: Andrea Cremer (absolutely love her werewolf YA series!), Coreene Callahon, Kresley Cole, Thea Harrison, and Kelley Armstrong.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2879675012063058740.post-45158219990374858352014-06-09T12:19:00.002-07:002014-06-09T12:19:25.498-07:00A Summer of Outlander Events! <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Bell MT&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am re-reading Diana Gabaldon’s <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10964.Outlander?from_search=true" target="_blank">Outlander</a></i> and so excited to be re-visiting this beloved book. I missed Jamie and Claire. This summer is a big Outlander summer it seems. The next book in this epic series is released in July, I get to go experience Diana Gabaldon in person on her tour (Wahoo! 900 seat venue and sold out completely!), and the long awaited television series is debuting on Starz in August! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Bell MT&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Bell MT&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is the book blurb to entice you to read this book:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Bell MT&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon--when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach--an "outlander"--in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.<br /><br />Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life...and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Bell MT&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I personally recommend, despite the length of the book(s), reading this amazing novel. Get your girlfriends together and start a book club, then get ready to watch it in August live. That’s my plan! It is a classic! Jamie and Claire, Darcy and Elizabeth, Princess Butterup and Wesley… they are always here for us through thick and thin, love &amp; loss, steamy men &amp; antagonists you want to punch in the face, etc. For your viewing pleasure, here is the poster for the<a href="http://www.starz.com/originals/outlander" target="_blank"> <i>Outlander</i></a>miniseries… Come back to visit if you re-read or give this novel a try so we can chat and have a virtual book club and discuss Claire and Jamie’s adventures.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Bell MT&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwWRXfaBUk4/U5YIsMHHUII/AAAAAAAAA3c/Q6CZfqIePgU/s1600/outlander_starz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwWRXfaBUk4/U5YIsMHHUII/AAAAAAAAA3c/Q6CZfqIePgU/s1600/outlander_starz.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Bell MT&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>Annie Smallhttps://plus.google.com/114011653916089007365noreply@blogger.com0